Amber is a Spokane native and a resident of the city for more than 24 years, residing mainly in Spokane’s Northeast neighborhoods. Raised in the Nevada-Lidgerwood neighborhood where her parents George and Rita Waldref still live, she attended St. Patrick’s School in Hillyard and Gonzaga Prep. Amber now lives in the Logan neighborhood with her husband, Gonzaga Prep chemistry teacher Tom Flanagan and their daughter, Karolina.

Following graduation from Gonzaga Prep, Amber attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and eventually moved to Seattle where she worked as an organizer and advocate for public involvement in the extensive clean up of the highly-contaminated Hanford Nuclear Reservation. During this time, she completed a Masters degree at Antioch University.

Amber felt called to return to Spokane in 2003 and put her education and experience to work for the people of the city. She has been an active volunteer in many civic activities, including working to protect historic buildings with Spokane Preservation Advocates, going door-to-door in support of funding STA and health care access with the Spokane Alliance, and advocating for implementation of the Comprehensive plan with the Neighborhood Alliance.

Better information equals better decisions.  Amber has partnered with educational and social agencies, including Eastern Washington University and United Way, in developing the Spokane Community Indicators Initiative, which aims to create a healthier, more vibrant community by using data to identify needs, priorities, and opportunities for economic, social, and environmental progress.

From 2004 until Decmeber 2009 Amber devoted her time to The Lands Council, a local non-profit striving to protect forests, water, wildlife and people’s health in the Inland Northwest. She has been a strong advocate for protecting the Spokane River and developed grant resources and community partnerships to keep Spokane’s kids safe from toxics in our environment.

Amber has been an active member of the Logan Neighborhood Council for the past three years and is currently serving as Vice Chair. She is a founding board member of the Faith and Environment Network and is an active member and volunteer at St. Aloysius Catholic Church. She is a graduate of the Leadership Spokane Class of 2008.

With her experience as a community leader, neighborhood advocate, and mother, Amber looks forward to bringing new energy and perspective to the Spokane City Council.